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Natalie Nakase discusses her passion for basketball amid WNBA Finals

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 17, 2026, 10:34 PM

Last updated Oct 17, 2026

Natalie Nakase discusses her passion for basketball amid WNBA Finals

Summary

Natalie Nakase, head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, expressed her deep love for basketball during WNBA Finals media day in San Francisco. Nakase has been involved in the sport since childhood, influenced by her father, Gary, a key figure in the development of Japanese American basketball leagues. Her family's dedication to the game has shaped Nakase's coaching style, earning her the moniker 'basketball sicko' among fans and peers alike. As the Valkyries compete in the finals, Nakase's passion has drawn attention from media and fans across the country.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Natalie Nakase leads the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Finals
•Nakase's father significantly influenced her basketball career
•She became known as a 'basketball sicko' for her dedication
•Media attention has increased around Nakase this postseason

Latest Updates

10:34 PMYahoo Sports — Exclusive: “Welcome to my life”– Why basketball is everything to Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase

What they're saying

"
SAN FRANCISCO– It might not be possible for someone to love something as much as Natalie Nakase loves basketball – and the basketball world itself can’t seem to comprehend why one person could hold that much passion and derive that much joy from a game that comes down to (to use a Nakase-ism) “two hoops and a ball.” You can hear their […] The post Exclusive: “Welcome to my life”– Why basketball is everything to Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase appeared first on ClutchPoints.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Golden State Valkyries WNBA Basketball